We crossed campus, and I did my best to not even glance in the direction of the training area as we pa.s.sed by. Within minutes, I was taking my seat in Botanical Medicine at a table that was piled with bundles of herbs, a mortar and pestle, and piles of obviously well-read books. In the seat to my left was a bookish girl who looked a bit jumpy. To my right was a boy with a cleft chin who looked kind of c.o.c.ky. At the front of the cla.s.s stood a woman with an hourgla.s.s shape. She had curly, strawberry blond hair and sparkling emerald eyes. And, most importantly, waves of niceness rolled off of her. I could tell that this cla.s.s was going to be a brief reprieve in my time here at Shadow Academy. aCome in, Healers, come in. And welcome to Botanical Medicine. I am Instructor Harnett and today we will learn all about roses and their significance in the Healing arts.a My interest was certainly piqued. Iad wondered why a school that focused on training individuals for war would have such lavish, expansive rose gardens, but Iad a.s.sumed there was a purpose, some method to their madness.

aNow, when I say the Healing arts, I am referring to the act of healing the wounded without the aid of bonded touch, which is something that you share with the Barron to whom you are Bound or Soulbound. But make no mistakea"the Healing arts can also apply to aiding your Barron, if you are Bound. As most of you realize, being Bound isnat as strong as being Soulbound. You may be able to heal with touch, you may not. Nothing is certain. But what is certain is that roses are key in many healing potions, and thatas what weall be discussing today.a Instructor Harnett picked up a bundle of roses and sniffed them deeply, closing her eyes for a moment. aRoses fulfill many needs. Rose hips act as a vitamin supplement and offer anti-inflammatory benefits, while infusions created from rose petals offer cures to headaches, dizziness, mouth sores, and uterine cramps. Properly prepared, they also ease the pain of toothaches, earaches, and sore throats. Rose oil is also a key ingredient in fighting against the bacteria in Graplar saliva.a That was certainly good to know. It was also good to know that my gardening efforts werenat being wasted on something that just stood there looking pretty and occasionally jabbing someone.

aNow, as you may or may not be aware, the art of Healing is divided into two factions: the botanical aspect and the natural aspect. Botanically, Healers are able to aid in the healing of Barrons and other Healers with the aid of various herbs, salves, oils, and other plant-based medicines. Naturally, Healers are able to heal those that they are either Bound or Soulbound to with touch. Of course, healing naturally is a much easier and much simpler task, but as there are so few Healers compared to the number of Barrons in existence, itas vital that we understand the botanical method of healing. Not everyone has a Bound or Soulbound Healer, so it falls on our shoulders as Healers to a.s.sist all Barrons.a Instructor Harnett smiled at the cla.s.s. It was an honest smile. One that told me that she understood that being a Healer was more of a duty than a blessing. aNow, if youall all please take notes, Iall walk you through the basics of how to create rose oil.a Most of the cla.s.s let out a collective groan, but I didnat. For the first time since entering the south gate, I found myself mildly interested in what Shadow Academy had to offer. I opened my notebook and poised my pen on the page, eager to hear what Instructor Harnett had to say.

CHAPTER.

Twelve.

Instructor Baak was circling me and my fellow Healing 101 cla.s.smates like some kind of panicked vulture, so worried that one of usa"and I think we all knew which onea"was going to positively ruin the day. The sun was a pleasant warmth on my shoulders, and I smiled up into it. Beside me, Trayton was smiling. I couldnat see it, but I could sense it. Head been smiling ever since we found out head be joining me on this little field trip. At first, I was terrified when Instructor Baak told us we were venturing outside school walls. But knowing that Trayton was joining mea"he and a sizable group of well-trained Barronsa"settled my stomach a bit. Even though b.u.t.terflies were dancing inside of it.

aPlease line up in an orderly fashion: Healers on the right, Barrons to the left. Weall proceed through the gate as quickly and orderly as we can, but remember that it will take time considering the size of our group. A Master Healer and three guards are awaiting you outside the wall. I will follow you, along with three more guards, for your safety.a Her eyes fell on me briefly, and I stepped in line beside Trayton, forgetting about the sunshine momentarily. The smile stretching across my lips was genuine, and when Trayton laced his fingers with mine, my smile stretched on into eternity. He gave my hand a little squeeze, sending a small flutter through my heart.

About ten groups of Barrons and Healers stretched out in front of us, with another ten or twelve pairings behind us. As we all shuffled forward, happy chatter erupted through the crowd. Clearly I wasnat the only one who was excited about seeing my Barron. Someone behind me laughed, and I gave Traytonas hand a squeeze. It was a good day. A much needed one. And it wasnat often, I was certain, that such an optimistic vibe rippled its way through the stone walls surrounding Shadow Academy. For a momenta"one that I was certain would be all too briefa"I was hopeful, positive, and happy. Three things that I hadnat experienced much of since leaving my parents behind in Kessler.

Raden was standing at the gate with a clipboard, running through names. He seemed very distracted by the entire ordeal, and I could only imagine the security risks involved for taking so many ill-trained Healers outside. Couldnat we stage this battlefield inside the wall? After all, it was supposed to be a mock-up of post-battle trauma and how we should handle the situation. Did we really need to be in actual danger? Yes. Apparently, according to Instructor Baak, we did.

aNext!a Raden barked, and we shuffled forward. Trayton parted his lips to speak, but apparently, Raden already knew our names. aNext!a A bizarre mixture of thrill and dread rushed through my veins as we crossed over the threshold, not knowing what the day might hold. Iad half expected the woods outside to be filled with shadows and haunting sounds, but instead I was met with the twittering of songbirds and generous sunshine filtering in through the leaves above. Several yards outside the gate, our group gathered, awaiting further instructions.

Once everyone was outside and our Barron guards were standing sentinel around us, Instructor Baak instructed several Healers to pa.s.s out bandages and other medical supplies. As they did so, she said, aNow, despite the beautiful day, a terrible battle has just taken place here, leaving your Barron terribly injured. Inside each of the medical kits, you will find a slip of paper indicating how your Barron was injured. You have twenty minutes to locate any additional supplies and treat the wound. Your time begins now.a A Healer boy that normally sat in the back of our cla.s.s handed me a small box then, and I flipped open the lid. Inside were bandages, a small jar of ointment, scissors, and three small bundles of herbs. Stuck to the inside of the lid was a piece of paper. As I unfolded it, Trayton sank to the ground dramatically, peering up at me with a smirk. aSo whatas wrong with me?a Nudging him with my toe and chuckling, I read the note aloud. aYour Barron has suffered a shallow Graplar bite to the left pectoral.a aOoh. Sounds painful.a His eyes were sparkling. aHow on Tril will you fix me?a I took a seat beside him on the forest floor, mulling over my options and trying hard to ignore the irresistible flirtatiousness that was coming off Trayton in waves. Two of the herb bundles were fairly easy to identify. One was Sprigweed and the other Cragbark. But neither would be of much help when it came to a Graplar bite, and I had no clue what the third bundle even was. It smelled vaguely fruity and felt like silk on my skin, but I had no idea what its healing properties might be. Biting the inside of my cheek in deep thought, I sighed. aIam not sure I can. You might not survive this.a Trayton propped himself up on his elbow and surveyed my medical kit, a frown on his face. ad.a.m.n. It was a good life. I was hoping to continue living it.a Laughter rolled out of me, and I gave him a light shove. aStop it! Iam trying to fix you.a aMaybe you should start by cleaning my wound?a He raised an eyebrow at me, a dangerous twinkle in his eye.

I rolled my eyes. aJust take your shirt off.a aI canat. Iam injured.a When our eyes met, we both laughed so hard that Instructor Baak shot us a glare, killing our revelry. Clearing my throat, I said, aSeriously. I have like ten minutes left to fix you.a aYouare the boss.a Ten minutes later, Trayton was wrapped haphazardly in bandages and slathered in gooey ointment. Instructor Baak surveyed my handiwork and uttered one word that should have hurt to hear, but didnat, for some reason. aFail.a As she walked away, Trayton frowned. aFak. I died.a Laughter ripped out of me so hard and so fast that tears spilled down my cheeks.

Hours later, Trayton and I were sitting in the dining hall, munching on freshly baked oat cookies and telling Maddox about our misadventures in healing. Maddox wasnat nearly as amused as either of us had been, but I guess it was one of those things where you really had to be there in order to truly appreciate the humor. She sighed, rolling her eyes. aI donat see whatas so funny about killing your Barron.a aI didnat kill him. Not exactly.a Trayton smirked. aTo be fair, you didnat exactly save me, either.a I gave his arm a light smack. aWhose side are you on anyway?a aMistroot.a Both Trayton and I looked up when Maddox spoke, confusion filling our eyes. Maddox rolled her eyes again, as if the reasons behind her drastic subject change were obvious. aThe herb you couldnat identify? Itas Mistroot.a Trayton nodded. aOh yeah. The fruity smell? A dead giveaway.a My jaw nearly hit the table as it dropped. aYou both know this? And Trayton, you couldnat tell me it was Mistroot when you were lying out there dying of a Graplar bite?a He shrugged and plucked another cookie from the tray on the table in front of us. aLife or death aside, that would have been cheating.a Maddox and I locked eyes then and burst out laughing. Trayton stared oblivious, having no clue why his staunch adherence to the rules would seem so absurd. Once I recovered, I picked up the tray and carried it toward the trash bin. I must have misgauged a step, because my tray hit someone and clattered to the floor, sending small plates, cookie crumbs, and gla.s.ses half full of milk to the floor and all over the front of the person Iad run into. I stared dumbfounded at the crumbs and milk as they clung to the front of his shirt and dribbled down. When I raised my chin, daring to look Darius in the eyes, I wasnat at all surprised to see that his face was turning red with fury. But even then, when he screamed at me, I jolted. aExtra duties!a He turned to stomp off in a huff and I stepped in front of him, blocking his path. The crowd around me fell into a hush. But I was tired of Darius punishing me without reason. aWhy? It was an accident, Darius!a He was gritting his teeth, and when he spoke again, it was in a low growl. aThere are no accidents.a I glared, but it had no effect on him whatsoever. He turned and walked around me, exiting the dining hall. From behind me, Maddox placed a concerned hand on my shoulder, but I shook her off. Whatever this animosity was, wherever it had come from, it was between Darius and me, and only he and I could settle it.

CHAPTER.

Thirteen.

The heels of my palms stung from the tiny bits of thorns that were wedged under the skin, and all I really wanted to do was find Darius and punch him in his stupid face. But Maddox had other plans. aLetas go get some powdered sugar rings to munch on.a aMaddox,a I sighed, not wanting doughnuts at all, but too exhausted to resist her whims. aOkay, but letas not take long. Extra duties really took it out of me.a aDonat worry, Princess. Weall be in and out. I swear.a She nodded and smiled, and for one, brief, idiotic moment, I believed her sincerity.

Three hours later, after Maddox had gorged herself on dining hall pastries and Iad insisted on getting to bed early, I lay there under my covers, eyes wide open, every inch of my nerves on edge. I just couldnat shake every mean thing that Darius had ever said to me, every dirty look, every unkind p.r.i.c.kle that emanated from him to me. Finally, I whipped the covers from me and headed into the parlor, hoping that Maddox hadnat dozed off in a post-doughnut coma. Luckily, she was sitting on the chaise, a book in her hand. She looked up at me, only mildly surprised by my mid-night presence. aHey. Sugar ring?a My left eyebrow twitched, but only slightly. aNo thanks.a She shrugged and popped the last powdered sugar ring into her mouth. As she was chewing, she said, aCouldnat sleep?a Shaking my head, I plopped down next to her. aIam just so irritated.a She flashed me a knowing look. aDarius, right?a When I groaned, she said, aWhy donat you just go over to his cabin, pound on the door, and demand to know what the h.e.l.l his problem is, once and for all?a aI canat. Heas a teacher, remember?a Biting my bottom lip, I refused to give voice to the real reason that I was hesitant to confront Darius. The truth was, I was a little afraid of him.

Maddox shook her head. aGet over there and stand up for yourself already. After all, if you donat, who will?a Her words, her meaning, her undeniable rightness sank into my pores then. There was no one else. Not Maddox, not Trayton, not my parents. There was only me. I had to stand up to Darius, or head never stop treating me this way.

At first, I didnat say anything in response to Maddox. But then I looked down at my handsa"hands that were shaking with such anger and frustration, and I knew that she was absolutely right. I had to confront Darius, and now, not later, or he would go on picking on me for the rest of my time at Shadow Academy. aOkay, letas go.a Maddox raised an eyebrow and held up her book. aYouare on your own. I just hit a good part.a My jaw hit the floor. aMaddox, I canat go out there alone! What about the Graplars?a aI donat know if you noticed when you got here,a she said with a smirk, abut the whole school is surrounded by a big fakkina wall.a I considered this for a moment, and debated whether or not Maddox had completely lost her mind, but the odds seemed in her favor. I really didnat think that shead let me get eaten by one of those horrible beasts, no matter how terrible a guard she was. Maddox liked me. And I liked her, trusted her. So with a deep breath, I stood up again and cast her a wary glance. aAnd if the headmaster catches me out past curfew and without my guard?a Maddox shook her head slowly, sucking powdered sugar from her fingers, her eyes locked on her book the entire time. aNot a chance. He and a bunch of the Elder Barrons are at some big dinner celebration at Traytonas parentsa place twenty miles from here. Pretty much if you want to sneak around campus and get away with it, tonightas the perfect night for it.a Insult filled me and I spit out, aI donat want to sneak around with Darius.a Maddox raised a sharp eyebrow at me. aI never said with Darius. Wow, guilty conscience much? Are you going to confront him or not?a aYes.a My heart rattled nervously in my chest. aYes, I am.a As I opened the door to the hall, my heart thundered inside my chest. I never fancied myself as much of a rule breaker. That had always been Averyas style, not mine. I was always the one coaxing her away from sneaking around with the Bowery boys or staying out past curfew. She was the one whoad talked me into aborrowinga her fatheras cart one evening, and if it werenat for her disrespect of authority, Iad never know what really went on in the guard shack at the edge of town after hours. Avery was the rule breaker, not me.

But Avery wasnat around anymore. So maybe now it was my job to break a few rules. Especially if I had good reason to.

A small part of mea"okay, a large part, admittedlya"was afraid what would happen if I got caught sneaking out alone after hours. What would happen to my parents? What would happen to Maddox? Would Trayton get in trouble? My mind filled with worried thoughts.

By the time Iad gotten down the hall, down the stairs, and out the door, Iad half convinced myself that the headmaster would be waiting for me with an army of guards, ready to whisk me away to parts unknown. To my agonized relief, he wasnat. The courtyard was completely empty, the grounds utterly silent. Above, a thousand stars twinkled their encouragement. So I moved forward, swearing that it would be the first and last time that I broke the rules, and that after tonight, Iad do everything I could to fit in here at Shadow Academy.

Itas funny the things you tell yourself when youare scared youall get caught doing something youare not supposed to.

Halfway across the cobblestone courtyard, I looked up at the cottage and my stomach shriveled into a deflated balloon. Dariusas window was dark.

My steps slowed to a stop and I bit my bottom lip, staring at the window, debating my options. I could go back to my room and sort this out latera"or even just forget it. Wasnat it a pretty stupid idea to confront a maniac like Darius anyway? And for what? A few snide remarks and dirty looks? So the guy didnat like mea"so what? Why did it even seem to matter?

aItas after curfew.a I turned my head toward his voice, but Darius was already stepping out of the shadows and onto the cobblestone. How long had he been standing there? Snorting my irritation with him, I said, aPlanning on giving me more extra duties?a Without even flinchinga"maybe he was made of stone, incapable of feeling a diga"he said, aWhat are you doing here?a aI wanted to ask you a question.a I waited for his response, but he said nothing. His eyes carried a strange sort of expectation in them, as if head been waiting for this conversation since the day we met. I took a deep, slow breath before speaking. aWhatas your problem, Darius? Why do you hate me so much?a Disappointment crossed his features, followed immediately by annoyance. aMy problem is no business of yours.a Cursing under my breath, I mentally kicked myself. Why was I surprised? Did I think wead shake hands and end up fast friends because I snuck out to confront him? What did I really expect from a dek like Darius?

He turned toward his cottage then, his footfalls soundless on the cobblestone. Then, unexpectedly, his steps slowed. Without turning back to me, almost as an afterthought, he said into the night, aAnd I never claimed to hate you.a Shock filled me and I was responding before I could even think of the words to say. aSo why do you act the way you do?a aI also never claimed to like you. You should go back to youraa The venom was back in his voice as he threw a glance at me over his left shoulder, but it didnat last. aWait. Do you hear that?a Darius turned around in a slow circle then, surveying the darkness, scrutinizing every inch of shadow around us. I looked as well, but saw nothing, heard nothing. Maybe Darius was still on paranoid pins and needles from his recent hunting party. aI donat hear anything.a He frowned, his eyes still scanning. aMaybe itas nothing. Stillayou should get back to the dorms. Itas not safe for a Healer to be out alone. Especially at night. Even inside this wall.a c.o.c.king my head to the side, I wondered how Darius could speak with such sincerity about something Maddox had said the complete opposite of just minutes before. Then I pivoted on my heel, turning back to my dorm building, and froze.

The shape of the enormous, hulking beast was apparent even in the darkness. Its broad head lowered and moved in close, the stench of its breath closing in around me. Its black, beady eyes seemed lifelessa"an empty void of hunt, kill, devoura"but I knew too well the life contained within. Graplars were fast, limber, instinctive, and powerful. I didnat make any quick movements, recalling what Darius had said to me the first time wead meta"what my father had said just moments before a Graplar had taken Averyas lifea"but turned my head slightly, inciting a low growl from the beast. But when my eyes fell on Darius, all hope of a repeat escape vanished.

Darius was also holding very still. Because a second Graplar was standing directly in front of him.

My heart shot into my throat, choking back my words for a moment. Then, with a slow, deep breath, I dared a whisper. aWhat do we do?a Darius was eyeing the beast, that light once more in his eyesa"visible even in the darknessa"filling his entire presence with excitement. I didnat share his enthusiasm. He parted his lips to speak and the Graplar blew out a snort, as if warning him that speaking wouldnat be wise and loud speaking wouldnat be tolerated. After a moment more of silence, he said, aI hope you can handle a sword. Otherwise this might be the last charming conversation we ever have.a It took all my willpower not to laugh, and most of that was probably nervous laughter. I knew he was being sarcastic, but part of me couldnat help but wonder if Darius were hoping that we might actually have future conversations, despite the fact that he seemed to utterly despise me. I was admittedly curious as to what those conversations might be. If we survived, that is.

Slowly, so slowly that I could barely tell that he was moving at all, Darius reached over his right shoulder and slipped the katana from its sheath. The metal sang quietly, as if the sword knew that any loud sounds would attract the attention of the Graplar, as if it were telling Darius that it was ready for action. aNow,a Darius whispereda"his words no more than a breath on the winda"aIam going to toss this blade to you. If you like breathing and wish to continue doing so, youare going to cut that thingas head off as quickly as you can, or at least keep it at bay until I can finish this big boy off.a My heart was racing so loudly that I almost couldnat hear what he was saying. Did he want me to fight off a Graplar? Seriously? I must have been hearing things. aYou want me to what? Andahow are you going to kill it without a sword?a My voice squeaked and the Graplar in front of me moved closer, baring its slimy teeth and emitting a low, guttural growl. It was a warning. I was sure of it.

A small line creased Dariusas forehead. aLet me worry about that. You just try not to die until I can come help you. Now catch this thing on three. Ready? One. Two. Three!a He whipped the blade overhand through the air, and I dove after it as it tumbled. The metal gleamed as it turned over and over again, high above my head. It was aimed perfectly for me to catch it as it fell. All I had to do was to stretch out my hand and grasp it. But then a thought entered my mind, worming its way deep within the part of my brain that makes me do really stupid things. What if I reached out and caught the wrong end of the sword? The sharp metal of the blade could slice straight through me. Iad lose a finger. Maybe many fingers. I pulled back at the last second, just as the katana was in reach, in a momentary panic. The blade clattered onto the cobblestone below, voicing its complaints loudly. I was hoping the Graplars wouldnat notice. But they did.

The Graplar in front of Darius lowered its head and lurched toward me, but Darius jumped up at the last moment and stomped down hard on its head. It whined and shook its enormous skull, slightly dazed. As the Graplar in front of me was moving forward, I shot a glance at the blade, but it was too far out of reach for me to grab. Taking a cue from Darius, I raised my foot up too. How hard could it be? Darius had just stomped on it and it was momentarily incapacitated. I could manage that much. Just as I was bringing my foot down, the Graplar lifted its head, pulling my leg upward in a quick jerk. I lost my balance, falling backward, and before I could recover, the beast shot its head forward, opening its ma.s.sive jaws, and sank its teeth into my thigh. Screams tore out of my throat and into the night. I twisted my head around, but from where I was lying, I couldnat see Darius. For all I knew, he might be dead, and I might be this monsteras dinner. I pounded on its skull with my fists, but it refused to let go, its sharp teeth sinking deeper and deeper into my flesh, pain lighting up my entire leg. Drawing back my fist, I aimed for its eye, and when I connected, it snorted and squealed and backed off.

Blood gushed down my leg, and I had to force my thoughts away from the damage the monster had caused. I stretched out my hand and grabbed the katana, gripping the handle so tightly that my knuckles turned white. Before I could even scramble into a squatting position, the Graplar lunged for me and I brought the sword up hard. The blade stuck into its throat, but just barely. With a horrific gurgling sound, the beast backed off, pawing at the blade, trying desperately to knock it free.

Scrambling to stand, my leg screamed with pain that sent my head into a whirlwind. I struggled to keep my wits about me, and focused through the pain, raising my good leg up. I brought my foot down hard on its skull, kicking it into the cobblestone with a crack. Then, my heart racing with terror, I grabbed the handle of the katana and jerked it upward, hoping like h.e.l.l the thin blade would be powerful enough to slice through its neck. I didnat have to cut the head completely off, just damage the beast enough that it wouldnat be able to come after me again. But to my utter shock, the metal slipped easily through muscle, bones, tissue. The Graplaras head rolled wetly away from its body, which landed in a dead heap. I staggered backward, my hands trembling.

Darius took the katana from my hand and flicked the weapon forward, flinging blood from it before returning it to the sheath on his back. He looked over my handiwork and smiled. aNot bad. For a Healer.a His words didnat sting. Mostly because I could hear the tone of respect within them. Imagine thata"Darius. Respecting me. If I didnat know any better, Iad have thought it was all a dream. But the pain in my leg was enough to remind me that I was absolutely wide awake.

Behind him, the water in the fountain trickled down from one level to the next. As I watched, dazed, the water turned from clear to dark red. Floating grotesquely in the bottom of the fountain was the other Graplaras head. Its corpse was lying beside the fountain. A gasp escaped me. aHow did you manage to cut its head off without a katana?a Impossibly, Dariusas smile broadened. But it soon wilted as he cast his eyes down at my leg. aYouave been bitten.a He met my eyes and I saw what Iad thought to be impossible in his gazea"concern. It was intermingled with something else, but I couldnat quite identify it. aWead better get you to the hospital wing. A Graplar bite can prove fatal if not properly treated.a aNo, wait.a I shook my head and the world around me shifted. Suddenly I was feeling very warm. Unusually warm. And dizzy. aIf the headmaster finds out I was out after curfew, alone, and during a Graplar attack, heall have my head on a platter, not to mention Maddoxas.a I was certain that head insist we head straight to the hospitala"after all, that was Protocol, now wasnat it?a"but he surprised me by nodding, his eyes on my wound the entire time. aMy cottage, then. Quickly. Wait quietly until I have a chance to debrief this to Raden, who will arrange cleanup and a report to Quill. If anyone finds out youare thereaa He didnat have to finish his sentence. I knew what he meant. If anyone found out I was in Dariusas quartersa"a teacher, an Unskilled, and after hours, unescorteda"we were both dead. He turned and started a quick pace toward the south gate, and I called after him, because it couldnat wait. Because I owed him at least this. aThank you.a He paused in his steps just long enough to offer me a nod before hurrying to find Raden.

My vision wavered a bit as I lifted my injured leg, but I forced myself to keep going, keep moving. I had to get out of sight quickly, before anyone saw me. It was a miracle that no one had. But I could only move so fast. I limped along the cobblestone to the narrow stairs that led up to Dariusas quarters. Placing my good foot on the first step, I pulled my wounded limb along, fighting back tears. It was strange, but I couldnat shake the sensation that the injury was becoming more painful as time moved on. An eternity later, I pushed open Dariusas door and practically fell inside.

Dariusas quarters were simple, and if I didnat already know that he lived here full time, I might have mistaken them for a temporary placea"somewhere that someone who was just pa.s.sing through might sleep. There were no pictures on the wall, no books on the bedside table, no clothing on the floor, no personal effects of any kind. Just a simple, crisply made bed near the window, a small nightstand holding a single candle, and a wardrobe across the room.

I made my way to the bed and collapsed, groaning. The bite from the Graplar was beginning to burn me alive from the inside out. Lying back on the bed, I hoped like h.e.l.l that Darius wouldnat be gone for too much longer.

At long lasta"I had no idea how much time had pa.s.seda"the door swung open and Darius entered, closing it behind him once again, sealing us both inside. Alone. Together. He turned to face me, and then moved his gaze down my bodya"a little more slowly than I thought was necessary. When he spoke, his voice sounded vaguely husky. Or maybe it was just my imagination making it so. aThose leggings will have to come off.a My eyes must have bugged out of my head, and I sat up, my pain briefly breaking. aLike h.e.l.l they do!a He stared at me blankly, as if he had no idea why I was making such a ruckus over taking my pants off in front of him. I stood my ground, but it felt like the ground was moving. Steadying myself against the wall, I said, aThe leggings stay on.a Sighing, Dariusas expression turned impatient once again. aLook, I canat treat that bite properly while your clothes are in the way. So either take them off and let me help you or limp your way to the hospital wing and let the Master Healers give it a shot.a My wound throbbed, as if in protest. Only I didnat think it was protesting me. aGive it a shot? You act like they donat know what theyare doing.a He shrugged. aThey donat. Not entirely. Not when it comes to Graplar bites. I suspect thatas largely because theyave never been bitten before.a aAnd you have?a I wasnat sure why Iad asked. Of course head been bitten. He was a warrior. Even warriors get bitten.

aMore times than I care to count. And Iave treated every wound myself, healing twice as fast as those treated by Master Healers, and with far less scarring.a Meeting my eyes again, he said, aAre you going to take your pants off or what?a I snorted. aTurn around.a Rolling his eyes slightly, he turned around, but not because of my desire for privacy. Instead, he started rummaging through a small cupboard for various herbs and creams. Crushing three of the herbs together with a mortar and pestle, he added two different creamsa"one a sickly yellow color, the other bright whitea"and scooped most the concoction into a small, lidded jar. The rest he carried over to me. Luckily, Iad managed to sit on the bed and cover up all the important bits with the blanket. Dariusas blanket. It was baby soft against my skin.

On his way across the room, he picked up a desk chair and placed it directly in front of me. Once he sat on it, he reached for the blanket. I drew back, hesitant. Maybe it was the poison coursing through my blood, but I was feeling more than a little paranoid at the moment. With a comforting glance, Darius reached out and moved the blanket just an inch higher, so he could get a good look at my wound. I swore to myself that I wouldnat look at it, but couldnat resist the urge. Though the Graplar had just barely nipped me, I could make out its teeth marks in my skin. The gash spread across the top of my thigh, its edges an ugly burgundy, pus already oozing from within. I swooned, and Darius spoke sharply, but not without concern. aDonat give into it. If you let the fever take you, the venom will work its magic even faster. Stay focused. Stay with me.a It was almost an impossible thing to do, to stay focused, to stay in the here and now when my world was spinning and turning upside down, but I held on, nodding my promise to him, hoping that he really knew what he was doing. As if the pain wasnat bad enough, a slight burning sensation had started at the center of the bite, spreading quickly to its outer edges and continuing down my leg. As it moved, it tightened, squeezing me in its grasp.

aKaya. Look at me.a I obliged, but it was hard to see him. The edges of my world were quickly blurring.

His voice was calm and hushed, but kind. Kind like I had never heard it before. aThis is going to hurt like h.e.l.l, but I promise you that before I even finish applying the salve, youall start feeling better, okay?a I may have noddeda"it was hard to tell what I was doing, other than being wrapped so tightly in that horrible, dizzying, burning pain. Pain that brightened considerably in a white heat when Darius first dabbed a glob of salve onto my open wound. Crying out, I pulled away, but he caught my arm with his free hand and held me still. aJust a few moments. Youall feel right as rain. I swear.a He dabbed on a bit more of the mixture as gently as he could, then began to smear it lightly over the bite. Tears coated my cheeks, but I couldnat find my voice. The pain was so intense, it seemed there was no escape from it. I couldnat see Darius anymore, and when he spoke, I couldnat make out what he was saying. My body was starting to shake, and I got the feeling I was falling without end in sight.

Then, slowly, my world came into focus once again. The pain was still there, but bearable, eased by the cooling sensation of Dariusas magical mixture. I dried my tears on my sleeve, then focused my eyes on Darius, who was moving his fingers over my injury with the care and grace of a surgeon. aIall st.i.tch it closed, but not yet. Letas get the infection out first. Could take a few days. Feeling any better?a aMuch.a I nodded, my voice hoa.r.s.ea"had I been screaming? My throat was burning.

He moved his fingers from the pestle back to my bite, dabbing tiny amounts of the salve onto the edges of the wound that hadnat yet been treated. My pain faded away and a strange silence settled between us. It wasnat awkward. Justastrange.

Beyond the scent of the salve, I could smell something else. Something that reminded me of wild, wooded places. With surprise, I realized that the scent was coming from my host. Not a shocka"Darius seemed to live for the outdoors. It was a pleasant smell, and reminded me of home, of walks in the forest and camping near the river. I sighed, relaxing back on the bed. Darius glanced up at me and I managed a small smile. My throat was raw when I said, aYou remind me of home.a His fingers slowed as they dipped into the pestle once again, his eyes still on mine. aIn what way?a Shrugging, I said, aYou smell like the woods. Like wind and rain. Itasanice.a aKayaaa His tone was something I barely comprehended. It was soft and wondering, unlike the man I knew Darius to be. He kept his eyes on his work, his tone even and focused. aIf you feel the need to come talk to me, at least come during the day when itas somewhat safer, okay?a I couldnat help but notice that he didnat say that I shouldnat come, only that I should be more careful about it. Did that mean head hoped I come see him eventually? And just what was that about, anyway? He hated me. Didnat he?

Darius sat the now empty pestle on the floor and examined his handiwork. As he did so, I dared a question. aSo whatas it like, being the only Unskilled allowed on academy grounds?a aItas not so bad.a He shrugged and sat back in his chair, the most relaxed that I had ever seen him. aA little lonely, maybe. But I have to keep a respectable distance from the troops. Itas hard enough to earn their respect as an Unskilled. Even harder to keep that respect when they could excuse it with a label.a aSoundsaa Only one word came to mind to describe his fate. A word that sank my heart like a stone in empathy. aaawful.a aThere are worse things.a He shrugged again, this time with just one shoulder, but there was something different about his movements this time. Head meant for his actions to be taken as noncommittal, but I could see the tension in his body, the haunted, angry look in his eye. Darius was hurting, and Iad have bet that he would never tell anyone why.

When he lifted his eyes to meet mine, I felt a spark of electricity. It was brief, but very, very real. Suddenly I was incredibly aware of his hand on my thigh, of the way he smelled, and the warmth coming off of his skin. Dariusas eyes moved slowly downward, lingering on my lips before returning to my gaze. He was so close, I could feel his breath on my cheek.

aIaa He began to speak, but paused, as if stopping himself from saying something that he shouldnat. As he spoke again, he removed his hand from my leg, but slowly. Reluctantly. aI should really treat my wound before it gets infected.a He moved across the room and opened a door there, stepping inside. After a moment, I heard water running. I sat there, half naked, waiting somewhat awkwardly, not knowing what to do exactly. The medication that head put on my injury smelled pleasant, filling my nose with hints of rose oil and something else. I sniffed it and called to Darius, aSo whatas this ointment made out of, anyway?a Darius snickered from the other room. aTrust me. You donat want to know. In fact, youare probably better off not knowing.a I sniffed the cream again and shrugged. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was better off not knowing. aHave you shared this recipe with the Master Healers?a aYou honestly think theyad be open to learning new tricks from an Unskilled?a He sighed quietly, as if punctuating his statement. He had a valid point. For the most part, the Skilled grossly underestimated the intelligence levels of the Unskilled. aYou should try to put some weight on that leg, Kaya. Walk around a bit, get the blood pumping. Itall help speed up the healing process.a The very thought of standing up made my knees feel weak and my legs tremble. But Darius seemed pretty confident in his caretaking abilities and medical knowledge, so I wasnat about to argue with him. The faster I could heal, the faster I could walk without limping. Ever so carefully slipping my ruined leggings on up over my legs and easing them over my bandaged wound, I tossed the blanket to the side and braced myself for what I was certain was going to be an immense amount of pain.

Placing weight on my injured leg, I stood, ready to scream. But nothing happened. I took one step, then another. Apart from my muscles feeling a bit stiff, there was no pain at all. Darius was a miracle worker. I tried working the stiffness out by stretching, but it wasnat happening, so I took Dariusas advice and began pacing the room. As I pa.s.sed by the slightly open door that Darius had entered, I hesitated, biting my lip gently, berating myself for even being tempted to peek inside. But the part of my brain thatas responsible for the really stupid things that I do on occasion edged me forward, until I was looking at Darius standing in front of his bathroom mirror.

Shirtless.

His silver hair just barely touched the nape of his neck. His broad shoulders came down in a V to his slender waist. His lean chest was completely bare. The man was beautiful. And flawless. My heart rate picked up in a steady rhythm at the sight of him. He was reaching over his left shoulder with his right hand, turning so that he could see the bite on his back a bit better. He was dabbing cream on gently, completely unaware that Iad even approached.

Allowing myself another moment of secret glances, and promising myself that after just a few more seconds, Iad move stiffly back to my place on the bed, I dropped my eyes back to his chest as he relaxed his arm and dabbed his fingertips back into the jar on the counter. And there, on his left pectoral, I saw something that made me suck in my breath in shock. At the sound of my gasp, Darius shot his eyes to my image in the mirror. The kindness, the gentleness that had been in his eyes just a moment before was gone, replaced by absolute fury. His face reddened, his muscles flexed, and he roared, aGET OUT!a He turned and shoved me through the room toward the door. As he pushed me outside, he tossed the jar of salve with me. It tumbled down the stairs as I was forced to exit. Once I was outside, Darius slammed the door. His anger may have successfully removed me from his quarters, but there was something that it wouldnat change, something that I had seen on Dariusas chest, something that had shocked and amazed me into utter silence.

Darius had a Trace.

Which meant that he wasnat an Unskilled at all. He was a Barron. And head been lying about it to everyone. But why?

The image of that small red crescent on his golden bronze skin was locked in the forefront of my mind as I leaned my forehead against the cool wood of the door. From the other side, I could hear him breathing. aDarius, Iam sorry.a What I was sorry for, I wasnat certain. For peeking in on him when I shouldnat have, maybe. For discovering his secret, no. But I had to say something. He was upset, and it was all because of me.

The door rattled sharply, and I could only guess that head punched it out of frustration. I jumped back, and then narrowed a glare at the door. aFine. Be that way.a Making my way down the stairs, I moved through the still-dark courtyard to the dorms, marveling that the Graplar corpses and blood had already been cleaned up and cleared away. As I snuck inside and up the stairs, I fumed. It wasnat my fault that he had a secret. It wasnat my fault that he was a Barron. But he was mad at me. Why?

By the time I slipped into bed, my brain was overrun with conflicting thoughts. Half of them focused on the look in Dariusas eyes as he screamed at me to leave. The other half couldnat forget the feeling of his breath on my cheek.

CHAPTER.

Fourteen.

The ceiling turned from black to pink to gold, but still I stared at it, mulling over anything that had nothing to do with Darius. Filling my thoughts in particular was my botched interaction with the Graplar. My parents had been right all along about their descriptionsa"the ones that everyone in Kessler had pa.s.sed on to one another as fairy tales. Graplars were huge, awful, ruthless monsters that could only be stopped by people with amazing strength, cunning, and skilla"three things that I didnat possess, but desperately wanted to. My father had taught me how to hold a katana, yes, but head never taken the time to teach me the art of wielding the delicate, dangerous weapon. Maybe he thought it was beyond my understanding. Or maybe he thoughta"hoped, evena"that Iad never have use for that kind of knowledge. But head likely never imagined that I would end up attending Shadow Academy, or ever be exposed to Graplars at all. I didnat blame him for not taking his lessons further with me, only wished that he had recognized in me my need to learn, and both my desire and my ability to take care of myself. Maybe he thought he was protecting me, in a way. Or maybe he thought head given me just enough information to be dangerous. Either way, I wanted to learn more, wanted to be able to face down a Graplar with both the confidence and skill required to take the thing out. But how was I supposed to learn how to fight and kill a Graplar in a school where Healers werenat allowed to train?

The pillow sank under my head as I relaxed back into it with a single name captured at the front of my mind. Maddox. Maddox would train me. She didnat exactly care about all the rules and Protocol and the division between Healers and Barrons. And she had absolutely zero respect for the prim and pampered life of a traditional Healer. Besides, she was my friend. Shead help me. Shead teach me everything Iad need to know about killing Graplars.

Confident in my decision to ask Maddox to train me in secret, against the headmasteras wishes, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to slip into a deep slumber.

A burning sensation woke me hours later and I sat up in bed with a yelp. The colors all around me had blended into a sick stew and I could barely see, but I reached for the jar of salve on my nightstand anyway. Misjudging the distance, I tumbled over the edge. It felt like I fell for hours. The fever had me now. I knew that much. After a moment, a day, a yeara"I had no idea how long it had beena"I heard Maddoxas voice in the distance. There were no words, just concerned tones, and I wasnat sure that I could explain to her what had happened to me. After a long time, the darkness found me, and I was grateful for it. I slept. Or maybe I died. But at least the pain had stopped for the moment.

When I awoke, I looked around. Maddox had brought me to the hospital wing. Sighing in relief, I looked down at my bandaged thigh. It burned like h.e.l.l, but the pain was far more tolerable than it had been. Two jars sat on the silver tray next to my bed. One was full of gray goop. One was full of white cream. I wasnat certain which the Master Healer had been applying to my wound, but my leg was feeling a bit bettera"though not at all as well as it had in Dariusas cabin. I laid there for a long while, thinking about the Graplars that had attacked, and wondering if Maddox would be as open to training me as I hoped.

The afternoon sun was stretching out across my bed. Sitting up, I stretched myself into full wakefulness, only stopping when the door to my hospital room opened and the Master Healer stepped inside. She was carrying a tray with her. On top of it was a clear jar filled with more of the gray goop, as well as a pitcher of water and a roll of fresh bandages. She set the tray on the small table, nudging aside the jar of white salve that looked suspiciously like the one Darius had given me. A quiet sigh of relief escaped my lungs. Explaining just why and how a Barron had concocted a potion for my wounda"a Barron who wasnat known to be a Barron, at thata"was a bit more conversation than I was prepared to have at the moment.

aYouare looking well this morning, Kaya. How are you feeling?a Her voice was pleasant, but her face seemed pinched, almost angry. It was difficult to judge her emotions.

aMuch better. My leg still stings, but I think I can stand.a I pulled back the covers, revealing my bandaged thigh. After a moment, she nodded happily.

aWonderful! Itas healing much faster than normally. If you can stand, Iad say you could return to cla.s.ses later today. By the way, how exactly did you get bitten? Were you on patrol or something?a Chewing the inside of my cheek for a bit, I said, aI canat really talk about it. You understand. Headmasteras orders.a After a moment, she nodded again, as if she understood completely. aWhy donat you put some weight on that leg?a I scooted to the edge of the bed and carefully put weight on my leg. After I stooda"my pain moderately manageable and my muscles only a little stiffa"I took a few steps toward the door, then turned around and returned to the bed. The Master Healer nodded. aIall alert your guard to escort you back to the dorms. Take lunch and then report to your third period.a With that, she disappeared out the door, tray in hand, and I was left with a pile of my freshly cleaned clothes. After changing from the hospital gown into my torn leggings and tunic, I picked up the jar of white cream and waited for Maddox. Luckily, shead spent the night waiting just outside, and within minutes, I was checked out of the care of the hospitalas Master Healer, given fresh bandages (along with gray goop that I swore I would never use), and on my way to the dorm. Maddox and I made small talk all the way back, but I knew what was coming once we got inside my room and closed the door. The latch had no sooner clicked than she turned to me. aWhat the h.e.l.l happened last night? Did you go outside the wall? Because those things are really dangerous, Kaya. You could have been killed. Youare lucky you werenat. But now Traytonas asking all sorts of questions that I donat have answers to, and you better believe thereas going to be an inquest with the headmaster after a Healer shows up in the hospital wing with a Graplar bite. This is serious, Kaya. Do you know how much trouble weare in? What happened?a I waited until she was done rambling before saying anything. I got the feeling Maddoxas head would have exploded if shead gone on any further in her complaints. I said, aI went to talk to Darius and while we were in the courtyard, two Graplars attacked us.a aInside the wall?a After I nodded, she said, aThey donat get inside the wall. How did that happen? The wallas huge and heavily guarded. Not to mention several feet thick.a Shrugging, I offered my only thought on the matter. aMaybe they dropped down from the treetops. I donat know.a Maddox folded her arms in front of her, like she was the parent and I was the childa"an idea that would have made me laugh if I hadnat spent the night in a bed in the hospital wing. aOkay, first, Graplars can only get about ten feet up a tree, no matter how high it is. And second, theyare not smart enough to realize that anything could possibly be on the other side of a wall. Not a single Graplar has ever gotten into Shadow Academy in a hundred years. So thatas not possible.a aLook, I donat know what to tell you, Maddox, but two giant, ugly Graplars attacked us in the courtyard last night and one of them bit me. Luckily, Darius knew how to treat the wound, but I guess it got infected after I fell asleep.a An image flashed in my mind thena"the image of Dariusas shirtless, muscular shoulders. Immediate guilt filled me. aPlease donat tell Trayton I went to see Darius.a Maddox wrinkled her nose. aWhy would it matter? Besides, you went out without mea"I have to tell him something about why I wasnat there.a Plucking a pillow from my bed, I whapped her in the shoulder, and raised my voice. aI went out without you because you told me to! And I quoteaaI donat know if you noticed when you got here, but the whole school is surrounded by a big fakkina wall.a!a Maddoxas eyes went wide with guilty realization. Then, her body slumping, she sighed. aOkay. So we wonat mention anything about Dariusas involvement. But what do we tell the headmaster about the Graplar bite?a aWe tell him a variation of the truth. We were on our way back to the dorm when two Graplars attacked us in the courtyard. You killed them, but not before one bit me, and after you hurried me back to the dorms, Darius found the corpses and reported the attack to the guards at the south gate.a Maddox was shaking her head dramatically before I could even finish my sentence, irritating me beyond belief. aWhat, Maddox? You have a better plan?a Her words burst out of her so loudly, I couldnat help but wonder if anyone lurking in the hall could hear. aThat wonat work. Heall never believe I killed a Graplar, let alone two!a aWhy not?a aBecause I was never trained to fight, Kaya.a Her words, though soft, pierced my heart. We were fakked. Absolutely fakked. Shrugging, she continued. aSure, I supposedly have skills ingrained in my DNA that will help me naturally on the battlefield, but I grew up away from all the fighting and monsters, Kaya. I have no idea what to do with a katana or how to kill a Graplar. Why do you think Iam your guard and not standing out at one of the gates? They canat expect me to be able to handle something like that, and they have every right to stick me in a cushy Healer guard position. Iad just fak things up for everyone out there. Guarding you isawellaitas easier than fighting.a My heart deflated then, and sank like a stone in a pond. Not only wouldnat our lie work, but it was the least of my problems. Now I was left with no one to train me to fight, to defend myself against a Graplar, should another one or two or twelve happen to find their way through the gate againa"or worse, should I face the battlefield at Traytonas side. And without that training, I was as good as dead. Something elsea" without learning how to stand on my own, the headmaster would win, and I just couldnat stomach the idea of it, and couldnat stop picturing his pudgy, smug face shaking his head over my corpse. aFak.a Maddox seemed to mull it over for a minute, searching for a bright side. aLook, itas not so bad. Weall just tell the headmaster that Darius rescued us. Besides, Iam sure Darius will want all the glory anyway.a aItas not that.a Sinking back into my pillows, I sighed, lowering my voice. aI was really hoping you would train me.a Maddox raised an eyebrow at me. aIn the art of escorting Healers from cla.s.s to cla.s.s?a aNo,a I sighed, feeling the dream die before it ever crossed my lips. aIn the art of fighting. I want to train, Maddox.a aBut Healers arenat allowed to train.a aWhich is exactly why I want to do it.a I set my jaw, determined. aWhy should I be stuck on the sidelines playing damsel-in-distress, when I could be on the battlefield, kicking Graplar b.u.t.t and taking care of myself?a I didnat give voice to the other reasona"that I needed to protect the villagers that I loved so much, the way I hadnat been able to protect Avery. In fact, I couldnat bring myself to tell Maddox anything about Avery at all. That was another life, one just for me.

A proud smile danced on her lips.

aBut without youaa the words caught in my throat for a moment. aNo one will train me. Itas not exactly something I can post on the dining hall board. HEALER SEEKING BARRON TO TRAIN IN THE ART OF COMBAT: MUST BE SKILLED, PUNCTUAL, AND KEEP COMPLETE SECRET FROM THE HEADMASTER. PUNCH AND PIE WILL BE SERVED.a Maddox cracked a smile. aYou never mentioned punch and pie.a Groaning, I hit her with my pillow again. aFocus, Maddox. What am I going to do now?a She grew quiet for a long time, and after a while, she moved to the door, opening it an inch just to make sure that no one was listening in. Satisfied, she closed the door again and looked at me. aI do know someone who might be willing to train you in secret. Heas good. Really good. And I know for a fact he gets a bit of a thrill over bending the rules, so it might work. Onlyaa aOnly what?a aOnly you might not want to work with him.a aWith who?a aDarius.a Several foul words raced through my mind. Of course it was Darius. It had to be Darius. It couldnat be any of the rest of the thousand or so Barrons on campus. That would be too easy. Mulling over what I knew of Dariusa"his att.i.tude, his hatred of me, his strange secreta"I sighed, totally uncertain that being trained by Darius was the right choice for me, even though it seemed to be the only option available if I wanted to learn how to defend myself. aLet me think about it.a After changing into leggings without holes, my stomach rumbled loudly and so Maddox escorted me to the dining hall for lunch. Miraculously, Iad only missed two cla.s.ses due to my late-night outing, but even that tiny blip hadnat been missed on the social radar. All around me as I entered the dining hall, there were whispers and curious glances, and I knew that Maddox was right. There were going to be questions, and we had better have some good answers to offer.

And I had to keep Dariusas secret. I didnat know why I wanted to keep his secret, only that it seemed important to do so. It was important enough to him, after all. I wondered if anyone else knew his secret, or if I was the only one. Why would he choose to hide the fact that he was a Barron, anyway? It wasnat like Barrons had a hard life. They were revered in Skilled society, and rewarded at every turn if they followed Protocol to the letter. It was a strange thing to run from, but I was willing to hold my tongue. He had to have his reasons, and it wasnat my place to expose his secret.

We had barely stepped through the doors when Trayton was at my side. aIam so sorry I havenat been to see you. I was overseeing repairs on the north gate this morning and, for some reason, wasnat alerted to your injuries. But the moment I heard I came running. Are you okay?a aIam fine, but youare sweet to ask.a I smiled at him, his eyes so full of concern. There was no doubting his anger toward Maddox for failing to watch over me. He wouldnat even look at her, wouldnat acknowledge her in any way. The air around us was full of an unspoken tension. One that made my skin jump.

Maddox disappeared to the food line and once she did, Trayton seemed to relax. He led me to a table in the corner and I took a seat, ready for the question I knew he was going to ask. He met my eyes and kept his tone hushed, wanting this conversation to be a bit more private than it was. aWhat happened last night, Kaya? People are saying you were bitten by a Graplar. Are you okay?a Nodding, I stretched my hand across the table and covered his with mine, hoping to comfort his obvious concern. aI insisted on going for a walk, so Maddox came with me, even though she said it was a bad idea to be out after hours. And on our way back, two Graplars attacked. We only just managed to escape. Luckily, Darius heard the noise from his cottage and took care of them. If he hadnat come along, Maddox and I might not be around this morning.a It was a lie, yes. But a necessary one. I only hoped that Darius would go along with my ruse. Glancing over Traytonas shoulder, I spied Dariusas silver hair across the room. He moved to an empty table, tray of food in hand, and sat, not looking at me even once. Not that Iad expected him to. I had, however, expected his demeanor to be a bit different. Maybe somewhat softer, gentler, but I had no real reason to expect that sort of change in him. So head shown some semblance of kindness to me once. So head had a moment of gentleness in stark contrast to his usual att.i.tude. That was no reason at all for me to expect him to be forever changed. So why did I?

Traytonas eyebrows came together and he turned around, trying to glimpse whatever it was that had me momentarily distracted. I squeezed his hand, bringing his attention back to me, not wanting him to realize that I had been looking at Darius. Not wanting to admit to him or to myself that I had been hoping that Darius would notice me.

My stomach shrank, cramping slightly with nerves. Why was I feeling differently about Darius at all anyway? He was still the same person that had given me grief from the moment I reached academy grounds. He was still the same teacher that had given me extra duties for no discernible reason. A couple of bandages and a softer tone (not to mention an amazingly perfect chest, my memory reminded me) wasnat going to change who he was. Besides, I had no business thinking anything at all about any boy who wasnat Trayton. We were Bound. And that meant dedication. To each other. To the cause against King Darrek. To everything that wasnat about me peeking in on Darius and his lean, shirtless frame.

I focused my eyes on Trayton, taking in his lovely eyes, and the slender lines of his cheeks. He was gorgeous, and so thoughtful and sweet. How could I even think about another guy when the one I hada"with the headmasteras blessing, at thata"was utterly perfect? Selfish. Thatas what I was being. And maybe a bit rebellious too. Was I thinking about Darius because the headmaster approved of Trayton and I wanted to thumb my nose at the leader of our school? Maybe. But then I thought of the way that Darius had looked at me in his cabin the night before. There had been an electricity in the rooma"something I couldnat quite identify or explain. It hung in my thoughts now the way it had hung in the air between us then. I couldnat help but wonder why.

But I had no business thinking about Darius and the spark that Iad swore I felt. Only Trayton was my business now.

Taking my hand squeeze as a show of affection rather than distraction, Trayton relaxed visibly, a small smile appearing on his lips. aIam sorry I wasnat there to protect you, but Iam glad that Darius was.a I could feel my lips pressing harder together in tension. It wasnat Traytonas faulta"head been raised in a world where Healers were supposed to be protected by their Barrons. But the fact that head implied that I couldnat have taken care of myself sent an angry chill up my spine.

Maddox returned with a full tray of fooda"enough for me and Trayton and several small armiesa"and as soon as she sat the tray down, she threw me a questioning glance, as if to ask if everything was okay between Trayton and me. I shook it off, promising her with a look that wead discuss it later, and reached for a slice of crispy bacon.

aYou look well. Better than I thought you would after such a rough night.a Dariusas voice stopped the bacon halfway to my open mouth. I froze with panic. Maddox and I hadnat yet had a chance to discuss with him the details of our plan, and here he was, blabbing to me about what had happened the night before. And besides that, he was being nice!

I turned my head to give him a look of what-do-you-think-youare-doing-exactly, but when my eyes found him, he wasnat looking at me at all. He was looking at Trayton. Mentally smacking myselfa"something that was becoming the norm for me latelya"I relaxed in my seat, realizing that Darius was, of course, referring to the repairs at the north gate. Of course he wasnat talking to me. Why would he? I was no one. Just a stupid Healer whoad gotten mixed up with a monster in front of his living quarters.

Trayton pulled his hand back from mine as he spoke, as if it werenat manly to hold a girlas hand when speaking to oneas instructor. It didnat bother me. Not really. Okay, not a lot. But some. aAt least I got out of it without bruises.a The smirk on his face said that Darius hadnat escaped the task completely unharmed. Not that there was any evidence of that now that I could see. Darius grinned, and I bet that no one but Trayton would be allowed to taunt Darius in this way. Not without Darius taking them to task, anyway. aI imagine itas hard to get bruised when youare busy watching other people doing all the actual work, Barron. Or should I call you Supervisor?a Traytonas laughter was loud and real. It was obvious that he and Darius enjoyed each otheras company. I could tell the two shared more than a few inside jokes, and even though I was sitting directly between them, I couldnat help but feel distinctly apart from the conversation. I wondered if it was because I was a Healer. Or maybe because I was a girl.

aIt appears I owe you my deepest grat.i.tude, Darius. Kaya said that you came to her rescue last night.a With every word that left Traytonas lips, I sank down another inch in my seat. This was it: the moment where Trayton would discover that I had lied to him, and the moment where Darius would learn that I had entangled him in my lies.

To my immense surprise, Darius didnat miss a beat. He smiled kindly at Trayton and offered a nod. aMy pleasure. Still canat figure out how the d.a.m.n beasts got inside the wall. Any theories?a His pleasure? He was going along with my ruse, and even being pleasant about it. But why? At the moment, I didnat care why. I only cared that my moment of terror had pa.s.sed in a single blink.

Trayton shook his head. aNot a clue. The wallas solid. We did a perimeter sweep before coming back inside this morning. Unless they somehow managed to get over the wall.a Darius shook his head too. aWe keep the trees cut back enough that even if they could manage the height, they couldnat cross the distance. No way are they coming over the wall.a aMaybe someone let them in through one of the gates.a My softly spoken words immediately drew the bemused attention of both Trayton and Darius.